The Supreme Court will hear on Monday (October 6, 2025) on the petition challenging the custody of Ladakh environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk. The case is engaged in the bench of Justice Arvind Kumar and NV Anjaria. In this petition of Sonam’s wife Geetanjali Angmo, her husband has described custody under NSA as illegal, arbitrary and unconstitutional.
It is said that Sonam raised his voice democratically for the rights of Ladakh, but the government arrested him to suppress the movement. The petition has said that on September 26, Sonam was arbitrarily shifted to Jodhpur Jail. Now the students and employees of his institute ‘Himalayan Institute of Alternatives Ladakh’ (Hial) are being harassed.
Accused of house arrest
Gitanjali has claimed that after the arrest of Sonam, she was also put under house arrest. Such a huge amount of security forces have been deployed around their house that it has become difficult to visit somewhere.
‘False story of relationship with abroad is coined’
It has been alleged in the petition that a propaganda campaign is being carried out against Sonam Wangchuk and his colleagues. Rumors are being spread on them to have relations with Pakistan and China. This is an attempt to discredit the ‘Gandhian movement’. Wangchuk has always worked in support of national unity and supporting the Indian Army. He made safe and convenient shelters for high altitude areas, which are used for army.
‘Detention order copy not received’
It has been said in the petition that neither to Wangchuk nor his wife has been given a copy of the arrest order or his foundation so far. This is against Article 22 (5) of the Constitution. Therefore, Sonam’s custody is illegal and unconstitutional. Gitanjali has also said that her husband has not been able to contact her yet. While taking into custody, her husband was not allowed to take her personal goods and medicines.
Geetanjali Angmo’s eight demands from Supreme Court
1. The Central Government, Ladakh Administration, Deputy Commissioner of Leh and Jodhpur Jail Superintendent should be instructed to present Sonam Wangchuk immediately before the court.
2. The petitioner should be allowed to talk to her husband on telephone and meet personally.
3. Medicines, clothes, food and other essential things should be provided to Sonam Wangchuk.
4. The order of his arrest and the entire record related to him should be presented in the court.
5. The court should call Sonam Wangchuk’s custody a violation of Articles 14, 19, 21 and 22 of the Constitution.
6. An immediate release of Sonam should be ordered.
7. His medical examination report should be submitted to the court.
8. The government should be prevented from harassing Hial and its members.
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